SUMMARY
- George Russell supports Fernando Alonso's penalty decision in Australia, fearing it could set dangerous precedents in F1.
- Russell emphasizes the alarming nature of the incident.
Mercedes driver George Russell did not remain silent on the incident that took place between him and Fernando Alonso. The aftermath of a dramatic crash at the Australian Grand Prix has ignited a firestorm of debate in the F1 world, carrying over to the Japanese Grand Prix. Russell, the driver sent into a spectacular spin after a surprise braking maneuver by Alonso, believes letting him off the hook with a penalty would have set a dangerous precedent for F1.
The Spaniard, in his attempt at securing the coveted P6 finish, braked significantly earlier than usual entering a notoriously tricky corner. Caught completely off guard, Russell lost control of his car, sending it into a high-speed spin, resulting in a dramatic flip against the barriers. The race stewards, after a thorough investigation, deemed Alonso’s actions as “potentially dangerous driving” and hit him with a 20-second penalty.
George Russell supports Alonso’s penalty decision in Australia
After the thrilling show at the Albert Park Circuit, Russell even bumped into the 42-year-old driver as the two were grabbing a cup of coffee in a cafe, but the crash remained undiscussed. During a media interaction, George Russell said, “I think it was a bit of a strange situation that happened – I said at the time, I was totally caught by surprise.”
George Russell: “I am all good with Fernando Alonso after our incident in Australia, we met in the coffee shop.”
Max Verstappen: “Did you brake-tested him there?” #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/95VhyJMl4Q
— Maxx | F1newsletter.com (@F1_Newsletter) April 4, 2024
He further added, “If it were not to have been penalized it would have opened a can of worms for the rest of the season and in junior categories saying you are allowed to brake in a straight. Every driver is open to change a line, break earlier, power through the corner, do whatever. But when we start breaking in the middle of a straight, down-shift and accelerating, up-shifting again, then breaking again for a corner. I think that goes beyond the realms of adjusting your line.”
The 26-year-old Briton made it apparent that Alonso’s maneuver was intentional. As for Alonso, he dismissed the incident as a one-time occurrence and blamed the design of the corners for the incident.
Russell calls for F1 rule change
A scary crash at the Australian Grand Prix has George Russell campaigning for a crucial safety upgrade in Formula 1. His involvement in a high-speed crash during the race has led him to advocate for the implementation of an automated safety car system. The W15 driven by Russell came to rest precariously in the middle of the track, prompting urgent calls for a red flag due to limited visibility.
Un accidentado GP de Australia: Geroge Russell destrozó su monoplaza pic.twitter.com/hXCbV7tzmy
— El Estatal Quintana Roo (@estatal_el) March 28, 2024
However, a critical delay ensued before the virtual safety car was activated, leaving Russell vulnerable and highlighting a potential lapse in safety procedures. This incident underscores the urgency for improved response times. Previous tragedies in Formula 2 serve as stark reminders of the consequences of delayed safety interventions.
Additionally, the corner where the crash occurred is under review, with potential modifications being considered to enhance overall safety on the track. The Australian Grand Prix incident has laid bare a potential vulnerability in F1’s safety net. Several drivers on the grid voiced their opinions on this issue and demanded better rules under similar circumstances.
